Driving licences will be issued to foreign visitors at the Bandaranaike International Airport from August, Motor Traffic Commissioner S.H. Harischandra said yesterday. The three-month licence will enable foreigners to drive light motor vehicles during their stay here. The decision has been taken as many tourists like to hire vehicles and drive around the country on their [...]

Tourists can get driving licence at BIA

By Damith Wickremasekera

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Driving licences will be issued to foreign visitors at the Bandaranaike International Airport from August, Motor Traffic Commissioner S.H. Harischandra said yesterday. The three-month licence will enable foreigners to drive light motor vehicles during their stay here.

The decision has been taken as many tourists like to hire vehicles and drive around the country on their own. “Once they get the local licence, they can hire a vehicle from the airport itself and drive away,” he said. The visitors would require a valid driving licence from their country of residence to apply for the Sri Lankan licence, the commissioner added. The process would take around ten minutes.

The proposal has been approved by the Treasury. Issuing of motorcycle licences to foreigners is also under consideration. At present, there is a one-day service to issue driving licences to foreigners, but as the issuing office is at Werahera, many have complained that it is inconvenient for them.